One of my least favorite parts of any church service is when whoever is on the pulpit announces: "Now, turn around and greet the people around you." Why? Because it is certain to involve two activities I am not fond of: hugging (for the women) and shaking hands (for the men). You probably can't tell from the look on my face. I hope. I will speak more on the hugs in a separate blog post (believe me, it deserves its own space). But today, I wanted to deal with the handshake part.

You see after that announcement, you usually get a feel for different types of handshakes, ranging from the firm handshakes to the ones I like to call 'touch-and-go' (usually from women). The 'touch-and-go' handshakes are particularly fascinating to me because the people who initiate these handshakes barely touch your hands as if you have craw-craw or some other skin ailment on your hands. Seriously, I don't think I can even call it a handshake. And then there are those who cannot decide whether to grasp your hand firmly or just sniff stare at it. They grasp your hand and then drop it suddenly as if they just saw Willi-Willi materialize behind you. Not cool.

If you haven't already figured it out by now, I prefer firm handshakes. And I am a woman. So, I began to wonder: is it ladylike to give a firm handshake or could it be misconstrued to mean something else? Better yet, what is the proper way to shake hands in different settings: business environment, church, school, naming ceremonies, bridal showers, and just about any gathering of human beings? So, I went digging on Google, and guess what I found? I am not the only one who detests limp handshakes. How comforting! Now, I can sleep better at night knowing that firm handshakes are the way forward! Specifically, here is what I found:

Making a good first impression in any public business setting starts with a firm handshake. This rule applies to both men and women. [Source] Hooray! That takes care of the 'lady-like' bit.

The proper technique is as follows: "Allow the web between your thumb and index finger to meet the web of the other person’s hand while griping firmly. An exception to this rule is if someone extends a crippled or arthritic hand. Then you should shake the hand gently, but still using your whole hand." [Source]

Reserve the 'double handshake' (i.e. using both your hands) for people you know personally and not for total strangers. [Source]

You should NEVER visibly wipe your hands on your clothing if you shake hands with someone who has sweaty, clammy hands. Be discreet. [Source]

By all means, wash your hands after shaking hands with people. Who knows where those hands have been? This is my own jara, by the way.

lol... only you will write an interesting post on handshakes.. hahaha. We learnt about handshakes in employment forum classes while in uni... firm shakes are recommended (something about confidence and precision)

I love firm handshakes, and I can't stand the wishy-washy ones either. However, I have two issues with handshakes aside from the tendency to exchange germs. I can't stand when people shake me with sweaty palms...i will pass on that. Also guys who firmly shake your hands and almost break them especially when I have rings on which is often. Those things hurt when you squeeze them hard...geez!

9jaFoodie: Those words (confidence and precision) came up in the searches I made, so you're definitely on point with your comment. I don't know why anyone would want to give anything less than a firm handshake.

AdeOla: You have successfully described two types of handshakes I discovered too: (1) The 'Clammy' Hands and (2) The 'Bone-crusher.' I won't bother trying to find out who came up with these names, but those types of handshakes can be very annoying if you're on the receiving end.

Priscy: Ah! You are a hugger, I see. Funny enough, you're not the only woman I have heard complain about not having soft palms. I don't see it as an issue o. I would rather shake hands than hug anyday, but that's just me.

Oh, thank you so so much for asking after me in light of Hurricane Sandy's craziness. Thankfully, I don't leave anywhere near the path of 'that' hurricane, so all is well. Thanks though for the concern. May God help those who are hit though. It's not even funny.

I was a lover of soft handshakes. Warm and allowing the palm slide over each other as they release. This was until my hand was gripped by a client. Oh the horror! It was only months after that I read it in a book that it was appropriate for business settings. A lady once shook my hand firmly and I had this surprised look in my face and she smiled cuz it didn't just feel lady-like to me.

As for touch-and-go, I think those people should not even be shaking in the first place. Hian!

Michael: Was there also an evil glint in her eye as she squeezed your hands? Lol! Sounds like a horror story for you at least. Me, I prefer firm handshakes o, so touch and go is annoying to me. I would rather you just waved at me across the room.